Biography

NoteCARDS:

The Cardinals first selection of the sixth round (177th overall) of the 2012 draft, Bethel has played all 80 games in his first five seasons and totaled 80 special teams tackles, three blocked FGs, a blocked PAT, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries on special teams. He has led the team in special teams tackles each of the last four years, including a career-best 21 in 2013.

Selected to the Pro Bowl three straight seasons (2013-15) as a special teamer. Selected as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2016, when he led the team with 13 special teams tackles, blocked a PAT and forced a fumble on special teams.

Joins current Cardinals radio analyst Ron Wolfley (1986-89) as the only players in franchise history to earn multiple Pro Bowl selections as a special teams player.

Started three games on defense in 2016, recording 26 tackles, six passes defensed, a fumble recovery and an INT that he returned 66 yards for a TD in season finale against the Rams. Marked his third career TD (second INT return).

Was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December 2014 after posting an NFL-best eight special teams tackles and a forced fumble. Also earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 9 after blocking a FG against Dallas on 11/2/14.

Scored his first career NFL TD when he returned a blocked FG 82 yards in the fourth quarter vs. Chicago in Week 16 of the ’12 season. It was the Cards first blocked FG returned for a TD since 2009 and just the fifth dating back to 1960.

Became the ninth player ever drafted out of Presbyterian and the first since DB Dan Eckstein was taken in the 15th round (376th overall) of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Packers. Bethel is the only Presbyterian College player ever to be selected to a Pro Bowl.

Pro Career:

Selected by the Cardinals with their first pick of the sixth round (177th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft and appeared in all 80 games in his first five seasons. Signed a contract extension with the Cardinals on 12/5/15.

NoteCARDS:

The Cardinals first selection of the sixth round (177th overall) of the 2012 draft, Bethel has played all 80 games in his first five seasons and totaled 80 special teams tackles, three blocked FGs, a blocked PAT, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries on special teams. He has led the team in special teams tackles each of the last four years, including a career-best 21 in 2013.

Selected to the Pro Bowl three straight seasons (2013-15) as a special teamer. Selected as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2016, when he led the team with 13 special teams tackles, blocked a PAT and forced a fumble on special teams.

Joins current Cardinals radio analyst Ron Wolfley (1986-89) as the only players in franchise history to earn multiple Pro Bowl selections as a special teams player.

Started three games on defense in 2016, recording 26 tackles, six passes defensed, a fumble recovery and an INT that he returned 66 yards for a TD in season finale against the Rams. Marked his third career TD (second INT return).

Was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December 2014 after posting an NFL-best eight special teams tackles and a forced fumble. Also earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 9 after blocking a FG against Dallas on 11/2/14.

Scored his first career NFL TD when he returned a blocked FG 82 yards in the fourth quarter vs. Chicago in Week 16 of the ’12 season. It was the Cards first blocked FG returned for a TD since 2009 and just the fifth dating back to 1960.

Became the ninth player ever drafted out of Presbyterian and the first since DB Dan Eckstein was taken in the 15th round (376th overall) of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Packers. Bethel is the only Presbyterian College player ever to be selected to a Pro Bowl.

Pro Career:

Selected by the Cardinals with their first pick of the sixth round (177th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft and appeared in all 80 games in his first five seasons. Signed a contract extension with the Cardinals on 12/5/15.

2016: After being named a special teams captain for the second straight year, played in all 16 games with three starts and led the team for the fourth consecutive season with 13 special teams tackles … also blocked a kick and forced fumble on special teams and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate as a special teamer … on defense, recorded 26 tackles, one INT (returned for TD), six passes defensed, three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery … posted a team-high three special teams tackles vs. TB (9/18) … led team with two special teams tackles vs. Sea (10/23) … collected two unassisted tackles, one pass defensed and a special teams tackle @ Car (10/30) … made first start of the season at CB and had four tackles and a pass defensed vs. SF (11/13) … blocked a Kai Forbath PAT in the second quarter @ Min (11/20), marking his fourth career blocked kick; added five tackles, including one for loss … tied for team lead with two special teams tackles and forced a fumble on kickoff return in second quarter vs. Was (12/4) … collected four solo tackles and one special teams tackle @ Mia (12/11) … made second start of the year and recorded five unassisted tackles, including one for loss, a season-high three passes defensed and one special teams tackle @ Sea (12/24) … intercepted Sean Mannion pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 66 yards for his third career TD @ LAR (1/1/17); also recovered a Tavon Austin fumble in the fourth that set up a Cardinals TD; added season-high six solo tackles, one for loss, a pass defensed and one special teams tackle.

2015: After being chosen as a special teams captain for the first time, played in all 16 games with five starts and set career highs on defense with 29 tackles, two INTs (one TD return) and nine passes defensed … led the team with 14 special teams tackles and had two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery on special teams … started both playoff games and had nine tackles and two passes defensed … selected to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer for the third straight year, just one shy of Ron Wolfley’s (1986-89) franchise record for the most selections as a special teams player … earned PFWA All-NFL honors as a special teamer … played in 50th career game and had one special teams tackle @ Chi (9/20) … recorded first career INT when he picked off Colin Kaepernick on the 49ers opening possession and returned it 21 yards for a TD vs. SF (9/27); INT came on his first defensive snap of the season; also had two special teams tackles, forced a fumble on a kickoff return and downed a punt at the 1 in the third quarter that led to a safety on the next play … forced and recovered a fumble by Jeremy Ross on a punt return in the second quarter vs. Bal (10/26); turnover helped set up a TD that gave the Cardinals a 14-10 halftime lead; also had one solo tackle on defense and a special teams tackle; played CB the entire second half after Jerraud Powers left the game injured … with Powers out due to injury, made first career start at CB and had two solo tackles, a team-high two passes defensed and two special teams tackles @ Cle (11/1) ... notched one unassisted tackle @ SF (11/29); stepped in at CB after Powers was injured in the second half … signed a three-year contract extension on 12/5 … started in place of the injured Powers and had three solo tackles, two passes defensed and a special teams tackle @ StL (12/6) … recorded a career-high seven tackles and a pass defensed vs. Min (12/10) … intercepted Aaron Rodgers in the end zone late in the first half vs. GB (12/27); second career INT led to a Cardinals TD that extended their lead to 17-0 at halftime; equaled his career high with seven tackles and added one pass defensed and a special teams tackle … had five solo tackles and a pass defensed in Divisional Playoff vs. GB (1/16/16) … recorded four unassisted tackles and one pass defensed in NFC Championship Game @ Car (1/24/16).

2014: Earned Pro Bowl selection as a special teamer for the second straight season after playing in all 16 games for the third consecutive year and leading the Cardinals with 18 special teams tackles … also had third career blocked FG, forced a fumble on a punt return and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December … saw increased action on defense as well, totaling six tackles, a fumble recovery and a QB hit … had one special teams tackle @ NYG (9/14) … had a career-high three solo tackles and one special teams tackle vs. SF (9/21) … recorded his third career blocked FG when he blocked Dan Bailey’s 35-yard FGA on the final play of the first half @ Dal (11/2); also had one special teams tackle; named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the first time in his career … recorded a career-high four special teams tackles and recovered Travis Kelce’s fumble at the Arizona 16 with less than six minutes remaining and the Cardinals leading 17-14 vs. KC (12/7); marked his first career fumble recovery on defense … tied career high with four special teams tackles for second week in a row and forced a fumble on Tavon Austin punt return @ StL (12/11); also had one tackle and a QB hit on defense … named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December after recording an NFL-best eight special teams tackles and a forced fumble; was first Cardinal to win Player of the Month since Patrick Peterson won the special teams honor in November 2011 … recovered muffed punt in first quarter of Wild Card game @ Car (1/3/15); also had one tackle for loss bringing down Panthers P Brad Nortman for a safety in the fourth quarter.

2013: Played in all 16 games for the second straight season and led the team with a career-high 21 special teams tackles … also recorded two blocked field goals, downed four punts inside the opponent’s 10-yard line and recovered a muffed kickoff, helping him earn his first career Pro Bowl selection as a special teamer … blocked David Akers’ 47-yard FG attempt in the fourth quarter to keep the Cardinals within two points vs. Det (9/15); marked his first career blocked kick; also had one special teams tackle … posted one special teams tackle @ TB (9/29) … collected two special teams tackles vs. Car (10/6) … had one special teams tackle and downed a punt at the one-yard line in the fourth quarter vs. Atl (10/27) … recorded his second blocked FG of the season on Randy Bullock’s 40-yard attempt at the end of the first half vs. Hou (11/10); FG block proved the final margin of victory in Cardinals 27-24 win; also had two special teams tackles … led the team with two special teams tackles but left the game with a concussion @ Jax (11/17) … recorded a team-high two special teams tackles @ Phi (12/1) … collected two special teams tackles @ Ten (12/15) … recovered a Robert Turbin fumble on kickoff return in third quarter @ Sea (12/22) … posted a team-high three special teams tackles vs. SF (12/29).

2012: In his rookie season, played in all 16 games and finished second on the team with 14 special teams tackles … also scored his first career TD off a blocked FG and had one tackle on defense … made his NFL debut playing on defense and special teams vs. Sea (9/9)… recorded his first career special teams tackle vs. Phi (9/23)… had one special teams tackle vs. Mia (9/30)and vs. Buf (10/14)… recorded two special teams tackles vs. SF (10/29)… posted three special teams tackles @ GB (11/4) … had one special teams tackle @ Atl (11/18) and vs. StL (11/25) … recorded his first career tackle and added two special teams tackles @ Sea (12/9) … returned a blocked field goal 82 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter vs. Chi (12/23); marked his first career TD and the Cardinals first blocked FG return for a TD since Antrel Rolle (9/20/09 @ Jacksonville); also had one special teams tackle.

College:

Started 43 of 44 games played at Presbyterian and was a three-time All-Big South selection … recorded 279 tackles, seven INTs, 16 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … scored three career TDs, returning an INT and two blocked punts for scores … established a conference career record with nine blocked kicks … school’s all-time leader in tackles (279) and INTs (7) … as a senior in ’11, became the first Presbyterian player to win Big South Defensive Player of the Year accolades and was just the second DB in conference history to win the award … started all 11 games and led the team with 87 tackles and four INTs, adding six passes defensed, a sack and a forced fumble … blocked three kicks on the season, becoming the conference all-time career leader … scored three TDs, returning an INT and two blocked punts for TDs … had a career game against the University of California, returning an INT 29 yards for a TD and also returning a blocked punt 41 yards for a TD … a second-team All-Conference selection as a junior in ’10, started 10 games, missing one with an injury ... posted a team-best 47 unassisted tackles ... recorded an INT with just over a minute remaining in a victory over Gardner-Webb, sealing the win and snapping a 20-game losing streak … as a sophomore in ’09, started all 11 games and earned second-team All-Conference accolades after recording a team-best 79 tackles, 55 of which were solo ... added 4.5 tackles for loss, forced a fumble and blocked three kicks … saw action in 12 games and totaled 54 tackles as a freshman in ’08 ... totaled two INTs and four passes defensed and blocked two kicks.

Personal:

Attended Blythewood (SC) High School where he earned all-region accolades and was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2007 … served as a key member of the Bengals state championship team in 2006 as a junior … high school retired his #31 in 2015 … donated $100,000 to Blythewood High School Education Foundation in 2016 to support the athletic and culinary programs … father, Chris, is a professional gospel singer and Justin is a drummer in his band … member of the Presbyterian pep band … majored in Business Administration with a minor in Music.